98 Legacy L, 2.2L auto, 147,000 miles

 

It vibrates when turning. (Sharp turn at low speed) I am not sure if both ways.

 

I think inner tie rods need replacement because the wheel shakes left to right, making alignment impossible. Could this be the source of the problem, or is it an axle?

 

Could someone post step by step instructions for replacing inner tie rods?

 

Could it be torque bind, and if so what should I do other than flushing the tranny fluid?

Edited December 21, 200817 yr by etc

This post is enlightening... I realized one of my rear tires is really low on air, something like 20 psi. Could this be the source of the torque bind?

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=90209&highlight=torque+bind

 

yeah - sounds like you have torque bind.

if you attend to it now - you might get rid of it and avoid a transmission repair.

i'd search for "torque bind" on the new generation forum here and read up about it a bit - that's probably what you have. it's caused by mismatched tires or improper towing.

 

there's a small chance it's CV related, but i doubt it. any history of CV axle or boot issues/replacement?

unlikely but you don't want to run a tire without proper air pressure anyway. i had a very low tire in one of mine last week and it caused no issues. although i have seen poorly matched tires cause an issue, each circumstance is difference.

 

you'll need to describe this "vibration" more to determine what is going on. i'm learning towards torque bind but it could be a CV.

 

if the car feels like it's "braking" or slowing down more than normal when the wheels are turned all the way (in a parking lot for instance), then that's torque bind. it'll induce a braking action to the car.

 

TONS of information on here about TB and it's caused by poor maintenance. The first step is change your ATF as soon as possible and make sure all of your tires match in size and tread.

 

axles won't do that, they'll be noisy. usually they start by clicking. click, click, click and you should hear plenty of noises before they start vibrating. which is why you probably have torque bind, you haven't mentioned any noises really.

 

i have to joke now. you must be used to american cars, because Subaru tie rod ends don't often cause problems! you can crawl under the car and grab the tie rod and try to shake/move it with your hand. if it's so bad that it's causing noises and vibration (rare), it should be noticeable right away.

 

tie rod replacement isn't that hard. one nut (hub side), and it unthreads on the other side with a wrench. so just one nut really and then unscrew it, that's it. the tricky part is rust or corrosion, sometimes they don't want to come off. a torch to heat up the nuts is nice, but i live in the rust belt.

 

and you have to count the number of threads removing so you can reinstall the new one at the same point, otherwise you need an alignment aftewards.

Edited December 21, 200817 yr by grossgary

if the various ball joints/tie rods are good...I would then suspect that the power steering Pump is causing this problem ..sharp turns/slow moving car/vibrating steering wheel...sounds like a problem I had a while back...added "lubegard" power steering additive..its been good since then..also check Very closely that there are no fluid or air leakage at the hoses connected to the pump..new clamps may be needed

98 Legacy L, 2.2L auto, 147,000 miles

 

It vibrates when turning. (Sharp turn at low speed) I am not sure if both ways.

 

I think inner tie rods need replacement because the wheel shakes left to right, making alignment impossible. Could this be the source of the problem, or is it an axle?

 

Could someone post step by step instructions for replacing inner tie rods?

 

Could it be torque bind, and if so what should I do other than flushing the tranny fluid?

 

Is the steering wheel vibrating, or is the entire car?

 

nipper

Is the steering wheel vibrating, or is the entire car?

 

nipper

 

I think it's the whole car...

unlikely but you don't want to run a tire without proper air pressure anyway. i had a very low tire in one of mine last week and it caused no issues. although i have seen poorly matched tires cause an issue, each circumstance is difference.

 

you'll need to describe this "vibration" more to determine what is going on. i'm learning towards torque bind but it could be a CV.

 

if the car feels like it's "braking" or slowing down more than normal when the wheels are turned all the way (in a parking lot for instance), then that's torque bind. it'll induce a braking action to the car.

 

TONS of information on here about TB and it's caused by poor maintenance. The first step is change your ATF as soon as possible and make sure all of your tires match in size and tread.

 

axles won't do that, they'll be noisy. usually they start by clicking. click, click, click and you should hear plenty of noises before they start vibrating. which is why you probably have torque bind, you haven't mentioned any noises really.

 

i have to joke now. you must be used to american cars, because Subaru tie rod ends don't often cause problems! you can crawl under the car and grab the tie rod and try to shake/move it with your hand. if it's so bad that it's causing noises and vibration (rare), it should be noticeable right away.

 

tie rod replacement isn't that hard. one nut (hub side), and it unthreads on the other side with a wrench. so just one nut really and then unscrew it, that's it. the tricky part is rust or corrosion, sometimes they don't want to come off. a torch to heat up the nuts is nice, but i live in the rust belt.

 

and you have to count the number of threads removing so you can reinstall the new one at the same point, otherwise you need an alignment aftewards.

 

 

Notes:

 

1. The turning is definitely NOT noisy, there are no clicks. What's there is vibration-like and feels like it's braking the car. I did scan every post on Torque Bind it seems but not sure.

 

2. The tie rod movement is minor. It might cause alignment issues but doubtful (IMO) something of that magnitude vibration wise.

 

3. The tire low on air is getting replaced.

 

4. Note to self: Change the ATF. and check power steering fluid. Question on this one, can the ATF be drained like the oil via loosening a single bolt or do I have to remove the entire pan?

Notes:

 

1. The turning is definitely NOT noisy, there are no clicks. What's there is vibration-like and feels like it's braking the car. I did scan every post on Torque Bind it seems but not sure.

 

2. The tie rod movement is minor. It might cause alignment issues but doubtful (IMO) something of that magnitude vibration wise.

 

3. The tire low on air is getting replaced.

 

4. Note to self: Change the ATF. and check power steering fluid. Question on this one, can the ATF be drained like the oil via loosening a single bolt or do I have to remove the entire pan?

One thing I forgot to mention in my earlier post, was also a feeling of "brakeing", if I remember correctly, it only happened when backing up while at the same time turning the steering maybe a 1/4 turn..the steering wheel also at that time shook slightly when putting pressure to turn the wheel..for me I didn't think it could possibly be torque bind because the driveway was snow covered

This may not be good. Get the tires taken care of sooner then later. At the very leats do a drai and fill. i prefer a ull flush, but with the winter and holidays.

 

 

When the car is doing a tight turn. Can it do it on its own, or do you have to give it gas. It should do it on its own with minimal throttle to get it going.

 

 

If it takes a lot of power you have TB.

 

 

nipper

3. The tire low on air is getting replaced.

 

Here's one of the little factoids I didn't know until I owned an AWD car. The tires have to be within a 1/4 inch of each other on the circumference. This generally means buying 4 tires. If the rest of yours are pretty new, some (most? all?) tire shops can shave a tire down to match the others. If the previous owner wasn't careful about this, TB may indeed be the more likely explanation.

 

Good Luck!

 

Will-

Here's one of the little factoids I didn't know until I owned an AWD car.

 

Will-

 

All 4 tires or just 2 on each axle?

 

I am getting 2 new tires in front and the two rear one are in good used shape.

4 prefered, if two one on each axle.

 

nipper

TSB of Jan15/04 ..if you are experiencing abnormal noise ..and/Or ..a slight vibration in the steering wheel when turning at very slow speeds...a new and upgraded power steering hose might be needed....the 1st repair would be to remove the (1) bolt and bracket that holds down the metal PS pipe..if the vibration has disappeared, no further action is needed...2nd repair would be to exchange the hose and if this does not work...then replace the PS pump..new hose assembly # 34610AE09B...old hose # has an A at the end

Edited December 22, 200817 yr by Petersubaru

TSB of Jan15/04 ..if you are experiencing abnormal noise ..and/Or ..a slight vibration in the steering wheel when turning at very slow speeds...a new and upgraded power steering hose might be needed....the 1st repair would be to remove the (1) bolt and bracket that holds down the metal PS pipe..if the vibration has disappeared, no further action is needed...2nd repair would be to exchange the hose and if this does not work...then replace the PS pump..new hose assembly # 34610AE09B...old hose # has an A at the end

 

 

i forgot about that one

 

nipper

Update: Put 2 new tires, filled them up with air, got alignment.

 

Tie rods are good.

 

When turning left, I get worse vibration than when turning right (Sharp turn at low speed).

 

The whole car is vibration except for the steering wheel. No noises, no clicking.

 

Torque bind?

 

What's the next step, flush the tranny fluid?

TSB of Jan15/04 ..if you are experiencing abnormal noise ..and/Or ..a slight vibration in the steering wheel when turning at very slow speeds...a new and upgraded power steering hose might be needed....the 1st repair would be to remove the (1) bolt and bracket that holds down the metal PS pipe..if the vibration has disappeared, no further action is needed...2nd repair would be to exchange the hose and if this does not work...then replace the PS pump..new hose assembly # 34610AE09B...old hose # has an A at the end

 

No noise, and the steering wheel is *not* vibrating at all.

 

I need to check the power steering level however.

Put the fuse in the FWD holder and see if it goes away.

 

nipper

No noise, and the steering wheel is *not* vibrating at all.

 

I need to check the power steering level however.

..Sorry to have mis-understood from my previous posts..I thought the steering wheel was vibrating...I would think the next step would be to drain and fill several times the tranny fluid..although I am useing the Dexron VI, I would not recommend the use of it for a Subaru (the verdict is still out from my own experience)..since GM has removed the licenseing for Dexron II/III, there are compatible fluids like the Multi Vehicle Fluid from from Castrol or Mobile..I am sure someone will chime in for there rec. fluid.. then again you can buy from the dealer

Question, do I need to drop the pan or is there a drain plug I can loosen like on the oil pan?

Put the fuse in the FWD holder and see if it goes away.

 

nipper

 

 

Which would it be, location?

under the hood, pass side, between the strut tower and cowl. may even have a cover that says FWD on it.

under the hood, pass side, between the strut tower and cowl. may even have a cover that says FWD on it.

 

hint

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showpost.php?p=778733&postcount=9

hint

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showpost.php?p=778733&postcount=9

 

NO HINTS!

 

thats cheating

 

hehehehe

NO HINTS!

 

thats cheating

 

hehehehe

 

what if they start crying, can i give hints then??

OK great, I will try it.

 

Now re: tranny fluid, which type do I get? I've seen the chart - how many % with each flush, I think 4 flushes would be good for me?

 

I totally don't know the history of this Legacy, when or if they ever flushed the tranny.

 

Can flushing the tranny fix the torque bind I am getting?